Canadian and US agencies use bubbles to aid salmon

Journal Article · Sun Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1993 · Hydro Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:6933100

B.C. Hydro, Canada's federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Bureau of Reclamation in the US have implemented unique bubbler systems that release compressed air to aid fish migration and improve spawning habitat. In each case, compressed air equipment produced bubbles that lifted cool water from a lake bottom to displace warmer water on top. An experimental project during the summer of 1992, involving BC Hydro and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, succeeded in reducing the mortality rate of sockeye salmon on their migration up the Somass River from the Alberni Inlet to Great Central Lake on Vancouver Island. The bubbler system cooled the water to aid the migration of hundreds of thousands of fish who were reluctant to continue upstream due to exceptionally warm water temperatures. Participants in the project suspended a large lead-weighted plastic curtain (more than 12 meters tall and extending the length of three football fields) from a series of floats across the outlet of Grand Central Lake. Compressed air equipment was installed behind the curtain to produce bubbles to lift cool water from the lake bottom. Water flowing into the river ranged from 1 to 3 degrees cooler than water on the other side of the curtain.

• OSTI ID: 6933100
• Journal Information: Hydro Review; (United States), Journal Name: Hydro Review; (United States) Vol. 12:1; ISSN HYREE8; ISSN 0884-0385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130600* -- Hydro Energy-- Environmental Aspects
AIR
ANADROMOUS FISHES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BUBBLES
COMPRESSED AIR
COMPRESSED GASES
COOLING
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
FISHES
FLUIDS
GASES
HABITAT
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
MIGRATION
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SALMON
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
WATER RESERVOIRS